Honey For Dogs - Safe or Not?

Every responsible owner will always have a myriad of
questions about their pet’s health and nutrition in the first place. Even when
we think that all lectures on pet care are learned, many questions are always
reviewed in order to provide the best conditions for our four-legged
companions. From the moment we decide to bring a dog into our home, we are responsible
for the quality of its life and for all of its needs, which, of course,
includes meals. Many posts and pages are written about what dogs can or cannot
eat, since they are omnivores. There are split opinions on food which contains
sugar, but what about honey?

Honey is considered as a very good human food, with numerous
health benefits. It can also be useful and healthy for dogs. Honey improves digestive
tract in canines, affects the skin and fur in a beneficial manner and it also
increases their energy and immune system Honey is especially good for healing
allergies in dogs, according to Petsolino.

Dog nutrition basics

What do we need to know when it comes to dog food? Correct,
healthy and quality nutrition is essential for longevity, good health, proper growth
hand development, shiny and rich fur and general satisfaction of our pet.
Therefore we need to provide our dog meals that include all of the necessary
elements, such as protein, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, fat and other
important nutrients.

Good dog nutrition depends on a variety of factors. It can
vary depending on age, body type, amount of physical activity, life cycle and a
multitude of other causes. We have to adjust the diet of our pet considering
all of the mentioned issues.

Homemade food is undoubtedly of a better taste for dogs then
the commercial food. There is no dog that would rather choose a portion of
granules but a delicious cooked meal. Dogs are omnivores, so they need to
consume both meat and plant food. They can also eat variety of human food,
unlike cats, for example. One of the regular treats for dogs is honey. So, how
it affects our pet?

Honey in a dog’s diet

We often wonder can a little bit of food from our table harm
our dog’s health. When it comes to honey, dogs are among pets that actually can
enjoy this sweet treat in moderation and can also benefit from it. Some experts
say that dogs really enjoy the taste of a raw honey. Researches show that a
small daily portion of honey can be useful for their health.

Good for allergies– Many dogs suffer from allergies, especially during spring and summer, pollen
seasons. Allergies cause many inconveniences to our pets. Licking paws, scratching
and rubbing noses are some of the typical symptoms of allergies. Honey is used
as a natural anti-allergenic and shows excellent results. Consuming honey a dog
also consumes pollen and they expose the body to large quantities of pollen,
but without allergy symptoms. When nature comes to blooming, our pet will be
resistant to allergens. One tablespoon twice a day should be sufficient for
large dogs and one tablespoon for smaller races. It is important to buy honey
from local beekeepers, since it is made from herbs our dog usually meets
outside.

Healing wounds –
Some clinical trials show that putting honey on the wound can eliminate
infection, reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. It also accelerates the
growth of a new skin tissue and helps for a faster healing. Honey closes and
isolates the wound, while at the same time provides enough moisture and allows
skin to breath and regenerate. It is
important to use honey in liquid condition, because crystallized honey can
actually hurt your dog. We shouldn’t use crystallized honey for treating burns
and open wounds, because the crystals act like small knives and can cause even
more pain.

Good for old dogs– Honey has a high nutritional value and provides additional energy. It is good for old dogs that begin
to walk slower and get tired more quickly. A little amount of honey can be very
useful in raising their energy.

Can all dogs eat
honey?

Honey should be avoided in diet for puppies, dogs with
diabetes and cancer. The maximum dosage for other dogs is usually around one or
two tablespoons per day. More honey leads to obesity and other health problems.